This week I decided to go down to Met Police, whom I play for the Reserves team, we didn't have a match on Saturday so I thought I would watch the first team host Margate on a sunny afternoon at Ember Court.
The Met started the better team, with Jack Sammoutis seeing his early shot go wide of the keeper, I must say, he looked like the guy who was going to be the game changer from first sight, quick, agile and a player of good vision.
It was Sammoutis again who was the architect behind a great chance for Daniel Knight, Sammoutis' ball through put Knight one on one but he took his effort first time on the half volley when perhaps he could have taken a touch, encouraging play by the hosts though.
The Met continued to look dangerous as Margate's only real chance came from a deflected shot off James Campbell. Another chance fell for the hosts just after the half hour mark as Sammoutis threaded a ball though to Charlie Collins whose shot was saved well by Craig Holloway.
Then came the drama, after a tussle in the corner, Scott Kinch was unhappy with the decision not to award a caution to the opposition and he himself was awarded a second yellow card, having previously been cautioned some fifteen minutes earlier. However referee Peter Georgiou failed to realise that it was his second yellow and the game continued for another minute or so before shouts and screams from fans and the dugouts got the referees attention and Kinch had to go on the stroke of half time.
Half Time - Metropolitan Police 0-0 Margate
This was not the first time Margate found themselves down to ten men this season, so you could say they had the experience to hold out or even perhaps win the game at Ember Court.
The Met, unsurprisingly dominated the second halves chances, the first and possibly best one of the game so far came for Collins who, after a lofted ball by Knight found him through on goal, attempted to lob Holloway but the ball had too much on it and it went over.
The domination wasn't going to stop there though as Knight had another chance but Margate's defense were standing firm. However with just less than fifteen minutes remaining, a good tactical switch from manager Chris Kinnear saw Lanre Azeez come on and within a minute helped put Margate in the lead.
Elliot Taylor, after losing the ball originally tried his best to claim it back but in the process fouled Azeez inside the box and Zac Attwood converted the penalty to give Margate a surprise lead.
With the Met pushing desperately for an equaliser, Margate took advantage of the hosts pressing and six minutes after the first goal, the visitors lead was doubled when Jake Hessenthaler's shot was parried by Dan Lincoln, who then saved the initial rebound from Attwood before Azeez converted from close range to give Margate a surprise, yet hard-earned win at Ember Court.
Full Time - Metropolitan Police 0-2 Margate
